In Chattanooga, former television news reporter turned attorney Nancy Cogar was also fortunate. A massive tree came within feet of landing on her home.

“If you look at the pathway of the storm, we are right there at the point, right before the damage started moving through," Cogar said.

According to the NWS, the EF-3 tornado, which was 1,500-yards wide, traveled for 9 miles. By the time it was over, at least 150 homes and businesses were damaged. By 3 a.m. Monday, 911 dispatch had received more than 1,300 emergency calls from people who said they were trapped under their collapsed homes. Hamilton County Emergency Management officials told News4Jax the tornado killed two people and sent 17 others to the emergency room.

Update to the tornado that went through East Chattanooga:

Storm survey has found EF-3 damage with winds estimated around 145mph. Storm survey is still ongoing, we'll continue to post updates as they come in. pic.twitter.com/wHZV3xVlom

Red Cross is now paying for 140 people to stay in hotel rooms because Hamilton County is not allowed to set up shelters due to the coronavirus

“We will get through this crisis. We have been unified. We’ve seen so much love and attention. We’ve seen care and concern. And that will continue. Not only now, but in the days to come," said U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischman, R-Tennessee.